The Survival Logic of a Multiethnic Coalition in the Origins of Indian Federalism

Why did the Indian National Congress (INC) institutionalize federalism that allows ethnic groups to manage their own affairs? I propose that, as a multiethnic coalition, the INC adopts federalism to avert disintegration driven by distributive conflicts. By granting territorial autonomy, Indian federalism diverts these conflicts to subnational channels, enabling ethnic groups to address communal issues themselves. While this strategy bolsters the INC’s organizational survival, it diminishes its electoral influence in areas with strong communal identities. To minimize electoral decline while preserving organizational cohesion, the INC selectively grants autonomy to ethnic groups most likely to defect from the governing coalition. My empirical analysis supports these arguments.